Laparoscopic Gastric Banding for Severe Obesity in Teens

Gastric banding works in severely obese teens but is associated with significant risk for complications.

Obesity treatment programs that focus on lifestyle changes have been largely unsuccessful in severely obese teens. In a prospective randomized trial, researchers in Australia compared adjustable laparoscopic gastric banding (GB) and an aggressive lifestyle program in 50 severely obese teens (age range, 14–18 years; body-mass index [BMI] >35 kg/m²) who had medical complications of obesity, physical and psychological effects of obesity, and failed to lose weight with lifestyle changes for more than 3 years. The lifestyle program included caloric restriction, exercise, behavior modification, and frequent consultations. All treatment services were free to patients.

During the 24-month study, 21 of 25 teens who underwent GB lost more than 50% of …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Laparoscopic Gastric Banding for Severe Obesity in Teens

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Reviewing Author